Open for Business: Fairyland Teatime

Fairyland Teatime opened April 13 at 1112 E. Walnut. The 600-square-foot shop is owned and operated by Jeannie Rainbolt. Serving several varieties of hot tea and cold peach Snapple tea, she also carries five desserts: blackberry and peach cobbler, each served with ice cream, cherry cheesecake with cherries, chocolate cookie sheet cake and soda-cracker crust pie. Inside, various sitting areas allow guests to drink teas. There are also a few antique items for sale. This is Rainbolt's first business. She has a six-month lease and rents for $375 a month from Andrew and Faye Barksdale, who also took care of the remodeling. The strong visitorship at Artsfest kept her busy, she said. Hours of operation are 2-4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.

Office Equipment Recycling Center opened Jan. 1 at 2345 E. Kearney. The 3,000-square-foot nonprofit company is owned by Harold Bingham, executive director. The operation receives computers, copiers, fax machines, telephones and other electronic gadgets to recycle or resell. Any item capable of being resold is offered in the location's 1,000-square-foot retail area, he said. Donors will be given a statement of estimated value for tax purposes. The store has three full-time employees and 2004 revenues are forecast at $50,000, he said. Center hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. Bingham has a one-year lease with Rob Lurvey for $500 per month.

Ski Shack opened an 8,000-square-foot location April 21 at 5539 S. Campbell after moving from 3165 S. Campbell. The location has seven employees. The company also has a store at 668 Emerald Point Drive in Hollister and one at Indian Point Boat Dock, said Greg Mustain, owner. Company-wide there are 12 employees. Inventory includes wakeboards, water and snow skis, vests, swimsuits, sunglasses, snowboards, coats, jackets, gloves and skateboarding gear. On the property's five acres, Mustain will offer Malibu and Chaparral boats. Renovations will run about $100,000 and include a new faade, as well as resealing and restriping the parking lot. Mustain said the reason for moving was to expand his Springfield presence, own his own building and get a location farther south. Mustain would not disclose 2003 revenues or the purchase price for the building. Store hours are 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday.